We are in an environment now where content is more important than backlinks. Backlinks still work, however, Google is good enough to determine what users like. So focus on what users want and they only to do that is with great content, user friendly site, etc. Not backlinks.

Great content will usually find the backlinks, but if both products/services offer the same type of advantages, all things being equal marketing aka link building / seo / content marketing / social network signals is the difference maker.

At present, Only two things are important. First is Fresh Content and Second is Quality backlinks. You have to maintain these two things. Because anyone from these is not good then you have to face problems to get Good Search Engine Ranking.